Three Kings cake, for the nice, and a Lump of coal for the naughty

Delicious ring filled with cream from a Sevilla bakery

For the naughty ones, a lump of coal, but not so bad, it is sweet coal.
Find it in the stores labeled: Carbon de Reyes.

The 3 Wise Men, or "Los Tres Reyes Magos" parade is celebrated on the 5th of January with floats, music and candy.  The eve of the 3 Kings arrival, is celebrated by all, outdoors, watching the floats with important town personalities representing the Three Wise Men.  This marks the end of Christmas.  On the morning of the 6th, children open the gifts brought by the Wise Men, and later that evening at coffee time, people feast on this delicious bread/brioche filled with cream and with a tiny surprise inside.   It is traditional to hide a lima bean inside the bread, and whoever gets it in their slice, has to pay the brioche.  This tradition is ancient, scholars say it may date back to the 14th century.  

The "Roscón de Reyes" (Spain), was also brought to Latin America, and it is celebrated with coffee, or hot chocolate on the 6th.  In Latin America it is called "Rosca de Reyes" instead.  Other costumes also practiced on both sides of the ocean, are to place a small figure of baby Jesus, or the Virgin, or even a coin inside in the bread before baking.  In my home, whoever got the price, had to host the party next January 6th.

By the way, after the 6th is when most people jump into the diet bandwagon.
Not before, who would miss this?

A very common site this days, all the bakery windows have their displays full of these sweet breads covered with sugar and candied fruit.  Even the grocery stores carry "Roscón de Reyes" for our convenience.  So that means, no one (at least the people that I know) make this bread.  Are you crazy? This is the hype of last minute Christmas shopping around here.  People are busy, so just buy it and relax.   Now, if you don't happen to be in this little corner of heaven, I am posting a link to a mexican recipe in English, or just search in the internet for another recipe.  Either way hope it turns out great.  Happy "Dia de Reyes", hope you don't get "carbón" (coal).

Mmm, delicious.